Calligraphy refers to
the art of creating beautiful symbols and ornate letters by hand. It goes
beyond being a creative art form and entails skills and techniques for
inscribing and positioning words. The script shows integrity, harmony, and
rhythm along with the visual appeal. The popularity of calligraphy witnessed a
quick surge in the pandemic times, as people wanted to try their hand at new
hobbies and skills. Everyone can learn it, regardless of age and skill levels.
But some tips and facts before getting started set you up for a better
experience with this unique art form. Here are some beginner tips to get a good
start.
Practice
and patience are vital
While calligraphy may
seem easy when you just start, it requires a great deal of practice and patience.
It can be discouraging as your skills do not improve much even after the hours
you invest. Remember that calligraphy is a specialized skill, just like
playing piano or guitar is. You cannot expect to pick up a brush pen and master
the technique right away. There isn’t an easy way around, and you have to
practice every single day to enhance the skill.
Gather
your tools
Once you are mentally
ready with realistic expectations, it is time to take the first step. You will
need a list of tools to get started. These include brushes and calligraphy worksheets, though you
can experiment with other tools like feather quills, bamboo nibs, glass pens,
fountain pens, and dipper pens. A fountain pen is a good choice for a beginner
because it is less cumbersome. You need not dip it into an ink well while
practicing your technique initially, so you can focus more on the task at hand.
Learn
the basics
Like any other art
form, you have to test the waters with calligraphy before plunging in with full
force. Everything starts with learning the basics. Consider joining a class,
physical or online, to have the basic knowledge at hand. Strokes are the
starting point of calligraphy as they make up the letters. You should not even
attempt writing letters and words without getting a grip over strokes. So
practice your strokes over and over again until you are consistent with them.
Once you are confident, step into the realm of letters and words.
Seek
inspiration
While tools and
supplies are the starting points, you need some inspiration before diving in.
Fortunately, you can find some great resources online. Check modern calligraphy blogs and
follow the best artists on Instagram. Save screenshots of the samples you like
and try replicating them in your practice sessions. Watch some YouTube videos
for practical guidance. Talk to an expert to get some tips and pointers that
take you the extra mile with the skills and techniques.
Although calligraphy
requires patience, practice, and hard work, it is an art worth learning and
experience worth trying. Just pick a quiet workplace and get started, and you
will have a beautiful piece of art ready sooner than you expect.
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